12/14

Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) is joining together with the Town of Newtown, the school district, the interfaith community and municipal organizations in observance of the second anniversary of 12/14.

The possible acquisition of the former home of 12/14 shooter Adam Lanza at 36 Yogananda Street, pictured in the AP file photo, is up for discussion and consideration by Newtown's Legislative Council Wednesday evening.

On Monday, November 24, Dr Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, superintendent of the Newtown school district, responded to the report from the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), released Friday, November 21, saying that his first thoughts go directly to the victims’ families.

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) of the State of Connecticut released a report Friday, November 21, focusing on Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS) mass murderer Adam Lanza. The report defines lapses in integration of education and health care, and how untreated mental illness contributed to Adam Lanza’s overall decline.

Newtown Action Alliance, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and Campaign to Unload announced Wednesday, November 19, comedian Jay Leno’s decision to cancel his appearance at the 2015 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), an annual event sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the gun industry. Mr Leno’s cancellation came just hours after the three gun violence prevention groups had launched a petition Wednesday morning, calling on him to take this action.

For you, Newtown, I am first an art therapist and an educator. Next I am your neighbor living and working in New York City, as an artist and psychotherapist. I am compelled to share my gratitude with you as a community for being strong as a necessary healing process thrust upon you uninvited.

How I became interwoven into your town’s tapestry is a story of your kindness and human connection. As the Founder of the Emerald Sketch, I chose to respond to your requests and to take action immediately.

Cynthia E. Roy, president and CEO of Regional Hospice and Home Care, left, and Paul Sirois, executive director of Regional Hospice Foundation, thank KIDO member Ashley Santore for her part in for raising more than $50,000 to build a playground at the site of the Regional Hospice Center of Comfort, Care, & Healing, scheduled to open in 2015. KIDO founder Ryan Patrick is third from right. Other KIDO members are Newtown High School students Allie Paynter, Caroline “Charli” Condon, Gregory Brissette, Brian Montoya, and Joshua Dunn.

Today I completed a survey about a permanent memorial for the victims of Sandy Hook School. As a landscape designer, I want to share my thoughts to aid in discussion.

I vision an outdoor memorial at a park in town that is not the sole purpose of the park. The memorial should be a place you visit when you want to reflect on those lost but are not reminded if you are trying to forget for a day.

With just over five weeks left before the second anniversary of 12/14, First Selectman Pat Llodra and School Superintendent Dr Joseph V. Erardi, Jr have co-written a letter that is directed as much to immediate members of the Newtown and Sandy Hook communities as it is to the state and nation.

The “vote” in Connecticut this Election Day, represents more than a choice between parties, policies, and/or personalities. The focus most is guns, rifles and ammo. Those who stand tall living in a state with bipartisan gun control laws, are on one side of the issue. Those who stand tall in support of repeal of Connecticut's gun control laws, are on one side of the issue. In a true sense, there is no other issue for Connecticut, and certainly not for Newtown, on November 4th.